Shopping in Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is the only socialist country in the Western Hemisphere, a country with rugged coastlines, karst caves, mangroves and sandy beaches. The sights of Cuba are presented in numerous museums and in the form of architecture - churches, palaces and fortresses.
What to bring from Cuba?
- Cuba is proud of its Cuban cigars and excellent rum. The world's best cigars in a traditional cedar box with markings «Hecho in Cuba totalmente a mano» Is the best gift you can bring. Make sure that the package has a government seal and is tied with tape with the inscription «Habanos». Varieties of your choice: «Montecristo», «Partagas», «Romeo and Juliet», «Kohiba», «Bolivar». If you have not saved the check, then only 50 cigars can be taken out of the country, with a check - in the amount of $ 2,000. If you risk buying cigars not in a store, but from «mafia», the difference can be up to $ 400, and the authenticity is confirmed only by the words of the seller.
- As for rum, the most famous is the brand «Havana club», production, naturally in Havana, varieties that enjoy well-deserved success, - “Carta otro”, “Carta blanca” and “Anejo”. You need to buy in state stores, because many fakes, low-quality cane alcohol and unknown origin and composition of alcoholic beverages are sold in the markets.
- Buy home Cuban coffee, it is delicious, sold in any state store, the best varieties are Cubita, Turquino and Cubita Arabica Serano.
- An excellent souvenir from Cuba - products with black coral, bracelets, earrings, pendants, necklaces in silver settings are especially good. Jewelry made of tortoiseshell, pearls, seeds of various fruits are popular, they can be bought at flea markets.
- You can buy pieces of furniture or carvings made of mahogany and rosewood or cedar, they are cheaper here than in Europe.
- If you buy paintings by local artists, be sure to ask for a document for transportation across the border. Also, an export certificate is required for crocodile leather products, otherwise your purchases will remain at customs. For connoisseurs of national musical instruments, there are tumbadora, maracas or bongos - hand drums.
- Many items with socialist symbols and portraits of Che Guevara, you will have plenty to choose from both in the market and in the store.
- Yes, don't forget the machete! You can buy quite practical, «worker» an instrument, or a souvenir one, of course it is more beautiful. You can take it out of the country by checking it in luggage.
- Do not respond to sellers' calls to buy huge beautiful shells - they cannot be taken out of the country!
For those who are interested in luxury shopping, there are all mid-price chain stores, but there are few expensive and exclusive ones. You need to go to Havana to Galerios de Paseo - a shopping center for wealthy locals or to the Varadero resort, in Plaza Las America.
